Historic Centre of Olinda, Brazil

Chapel of São Roque, Convent of São Francisco, Olinda
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Capela-de-s-roque2-olinda.jpg
Author: Ricardo André Frantz


Olinda is a beautifully preserved historic town in Brazil. Located in the state of Pernambuco, on the northeastern part of Brazil, it is the main town of Brazil's sugar cane industry. It was founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, and was rebuilt in the 18th century following an attack by the Dutch. Today there are some twenty Baroque churches in Olinda, along with other heritage buildings, gardens, and numerous passos, or chapels.

The historic centre of Olinda was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 6th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris on 13-17 December, 1982.

Igreja de São Bento, Olinda
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Igreja-de-s%C3%A3o-bento-olinda2.jpg
Author: Ricardo André Frantz


Olinda was founded in 1535 by Duarte Coelho Pereira. It gained town status in 1537, and became the Diocese of Olinda in 1676. During the period when Portugal was united with Spain in the Iberian Union of 1580-1640, the Dutch took the opportunity to attack the town. The Dutch controlled Olinda until Portugal reestablished its authority in 1640.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: S8 0 48 W34 50 42 in the State of Pernambuco, in northeast Brazil
Inscription Year: 1982
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, IV Meteorological Observatory of Olinda
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Observat%C3%B3rio_Meteorol%C3%B3gico_de_Olinda.jpg
Author: David Moraes de Andrade

Visiting Historic Centre of Olinda

Your base for visiting this World Heritage Site is the town of Recife. You may have to enter Brazil through its main cities such as Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. From there, take a domestic flight to Recife. From there, you can make the arrangements to go to Olinda, which is just 7km from Recife.

Getting there

You can take a bus or taxi from Recife.

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